Reclaiming Tribalism (with Michael Morris)
Digest
This podcast, hosted by Russ Roberts, features a conversation with Michael Morris, a cultural psychologist and author of "Tribal: How the Cultural Instincts That Divide Us Can Help Bring Us Together." The discussion delves into the often-misunderstood concept of "tribalism," exploring the positive aspects of our innate group instincts and how they influence our behavior. Morris shares a compelling story about a Dutch soccer coach who successfully transformed the South Korean national team's culture by understanding and adapting to their cultural nuances. This example highlights the importance of cultural congruence in leading change. The conversation then explores the three key instincts that shape our social behavior: the peer instinct (imitating peers), the hero instinct (emulating heroes), and the ancestor instinct (perpetuating traditions). Morris explains how these instincts evolved over time and how they continue to influence our actions in modern society. Roberts and Morris discuss the challenges of changing peer codes and the effectiveness of company offsites. Morris emphasizes the distinction between short-term activation of cultural identities and long-term cultural evolution. He argues that offsites can be helpful in dialing down the influence of existing norms but are not sufficient for true cultural change. The conversation then turns to the political world and the role of social media in fostering tribalism. Roberts expresses concern about the unhealthy culture that has emerged around our democracies, where people are more likely to be comforted or enraged by their own echo chambers than to seek truth. Morris agrees, highlighting the role of virtue signaling and the challenges of navigating this new landscape.
Outlines
Understanding Tribal Instincts: A Conversation with Michael Morris
This episode introduces the concept of "tribalism" and explores the positive aspects of our innate group instincts. The conversation begins with a discussion about the word "tribal" and its often negative connotations. Morris explains his intention to reclaim the word and explore the positive aspects of our innate group instincts.
Leading Change Through Cultural Understanding
Morris shares a fascinating story about a Dutch soccer coach who successfully transformed the South Korean national team's culture by understanding and adapting to their cultural nuances. This example highlights the importance of cultural congruence in leading change.
The Success of Outsiders and Cultural Congruence
Roberts and Morris discuss the factors that contribute to the success of outsiders in leading change, including the ability to create a hermetically sealed bubble for change, understanding the core values of the group, and making changes that are culturally congruent.
The Three Instincts: Imitate Peers, Emulate Heroes, Perpetuate Traditions
Morris introduces the three key instincts that shape our social behavior: the peer instinct (imitating peers), the hero instinct (emulating heroes), and the ancestor instinct (perpetuating traditions). He explains how these instincts evolved over time and how they continue to influence our actions in modern society.
Peer Effects and Cultural Change
Roberts and Morris discuss the challenges of changing peer codes and the effectiveness of company offsites. Morris emphasizes the distinction between short-term activation of cultural identities and long-term cultural evolution. He argues that offsites can be helpful in dialing down the influence of existing norms but are not sufficient for true cultural change.
The Hero Instinct and Prestige Learning
Morris delves into the hero instinct, our drive to be exemplary members of our group and gain esteem. He explains how this instinct evolved through group selection and how it manifests in our admiration for heroes, CEOs, and politicians. He also discusses the phenomenon of prestige learning, where we emulate the behaviors of those with high status.
Evolutionary Perspective vs. Economic Incentives
Roberts contrasts the evolutionary perspective presented in Morris's book with the traditional economic model of utility maximization. He argues that our evolutionary inheritance plays a significant role in shaping our behavior, often overriding rational decision-making. Morris agrees, emphasizing the power of intuition and the limitations of reason in our everyday lives.
The Ancestor Instinct and the Role of Tradition
Morris introduces the ancestor instinct, our innate drive to perpetuate traditions and learn from past generations. He explains how this instinct evolved to preserve knowledge and cultural adaptation. He also discusses the paradox of our need for continuity and our tendency to exaggerate the similarities between our lives and those of our ancestors.
Modern Counterculture and the Resentment of Tradition
Roberts and Morris discuss the modern counterculture's rejection of tradition and its emphasis on individuality. They explore the irony of this rejection, as even countercultures often develop their own heroes and traditions. Morris argues that we cannot escape our evolutionary inheritance and that attempts to remake human beings in a way that ignores our innate instincts are ultimately unrealistic.
Tribalism in the Political World and Social Media
The conversation turns to the political world and the role of social media in fostering tribalism. Roberts expresses concern about the unhealthy culture that has emerged around our democracies, where people are more likely to be comforted or enraged by their own echo chambers than to seek truth. Morris agrees, highlighting the role of virtue signaling and the challenges of navigating this new landscape.
Keywords
Tribalism
The tendency to identify strongly with a particular group and view outsiders with suspicion or hostility. It can be based on shared ethnicity, religion, political beliefs, or other factors.
Cultural Instincts
Innate, unconscious tendencies that shape our social behavior and interactions. These instincts evolved over time to help humans survive and thrive in groups.
Peer Effects
The influence of our peers on our behavior and choices. We tend to conform to the norms and behaviors of those around us, especially in situations of ambiguity.
Hero Instinct
Our drive to be exemplary members of our group and gain esteem. This instinct motivates us to emulate heroes and strive for status within our community.
Ancestor Instinct
Our innate tendency to perpetuate traditions and learn from past generations. This instinct helps us preserve knowledge and adapt to our environment.
Cultural Congruence
The degree to which a change or innovation aligns with the existing values and norms of a group. Changes that are culturally congruent are more likely to be accepted and successful.
Virtue Signaling
The act of publicly expressing moral outrage or support for a particular cause in order to gain social approval. It is often seen as a form of performative activism.
Dual Inheritance Theory
A theory that proposes a co-evolution between genetic and cultural evolution. Cultural changes can create new selection pressures on genes, leading to further evolution.
Q&A
How can we reclaim the word "tribal" and understand the positive aspects of our innate group instincts?
Michael Morris argues that we should reclaim the word "tribal" and recognize that our group instincts, while sometimes leading to conflict, are also essential for human cooperation and social life. He emphasizes that these instincts are not inherently negative and can be channeled in positive ways.
What are the key lessons from the story of the Dutch soccer coach who led the South Korean national team?
The story highlights the importance of understanding and adapting to cultural nuances when leading change. The coach's success demonstrates that effective leadership requires more than just technical skills; it also involves sensitivity to the values and norms of the group.
How can leaders create a culture of change without alienating their followers?
Morris emphasizes the importance of cultural congruence. Leaders should make changes that are aligned with the core values and beliefs of the group. They should also be mindful of the cues in the environment that activate or deactivate different cultural identities.
How do the three instincts – imitate peers, emulate heroes, and perpetuate traditions – shape our behavior?
These instincts evolved over time to help humans survive and thrive in groups. They influence our choices, our aspirations, and our sense of belonging. Understanding these instincts can help us navigate the complexities of social life.
How can we address the growing tribalism in the political world and on social media?
Morris suggests that we should recognize the limitations of social media and its tendency to foster echo chambers. He believes that more free speech, rather than censorship, is the best cure for the problems of virtue signaling and online tribalism. He also emphasizes the importance of engaging with diverse perspectives and challenging our own biases.
Show Notes
Is tribalism destroying democracy? According to cultural psychologist Michael Morris of Columbia University, just the opposite may be the case. As he explains in his new book, Tribal, our tribal instincts can also be the source of our success--in politics, society, business, and even professional sports. Listen as Morris and EconTalk's Russ Roberts discuss real examples of how smart leaders pulled tribal levers to improve performance, solve stubborn problems, and create positive change.
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